In Sweden the national final is called “Melodifestivalen” and it’s a marathon of six shows over a period of six weeks’ time. The viewing figures are enormously high and it seems that the entire country is following this event. Thanks to the great popularity of the Melodifestivalen a lot of Swedish singers are keen to participate, new and established ones. This year the biggest favourite also won the national final in Stockholm: John Lundvik with the powerful song “Too Late For Love”. This was the most convincing song of the festival and it’s also among the big favourites in Tel Aviv.

John Hassim Lundvik was born in London in 1983. His Swedish parents adopted him and went back to Sweden, when John was six years old. He grew up in the southern part of Sweden in Växjö in the province Småland.

John has started his career as composer for the royal wedding of Princess Victoria & Daniel in 2010. The song “When You Tell The World You're Mine” performed by Björn Skifs and Agnes. John Lundvik has composed songs for many artists and also for movies. In 2014 he participated in the popular music show Allsång på Skansen together with the Swedish legend Lill Lindfors, who has already participated in the ESC with “Nygammal Vals Eller Hip Man Svinaherde” together with Svante Thuressson (2nd place in 1966). Together Lill and John sang “Uti vår hage” at the national day. In the year 2018 John took part in the Melodifestivalen already. With the song “My Turn” he made a respectable 3rd place.

This year John Lundvik takes part twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly with his own song “Too Late For Love” for Sweden. Secondly as composer for the UK entry “Bigger Than Us” which will be performed by Michael Rice. So the chances for John are quite high to win the ESC, as a favourite in the bets and with the UK entry as top up.

The song “Too Late For Love” has a very positive energy and a groovy dance rhythm. The stage performance at the Melodifestivalen has already been choreographed to the final version, so this is to expect in Tel Aviv as well. Even if the song title sounds a bit pessimistic, the song is positive in all aspect. With the gospel vibe and catchy melody this is one of the top 3 acts this year.

History

Debut: 1958

Participations: 59

Victories: 6

Finals: 57 (14 since 2004)

Top 10: 40

Chances for Top 10: 68%

Chances for Final: 87%

Sweden had its debut in 1958 with “Lilla Stjärna” sung by Alice Babs, which made a fabulous 4th rank in Hilversum. But the first victory took a while, in 1974 ABBA could surprise the Europeans with the very contemporary song “Waterloo” for that decade. Unfortunately, the ABBA hype did not start immediately, but some years later in Sweden and Scandinavia and even beyond. ABBA made a world career, they have had many #1 songs even in the USA, Japan and Australia. The style of ABBA music has often been copied and many Swedish ESC songs sounded like ABBA and not only Swedish entries, even other countries copied that style. Not many people know that ABBA have even tried to enter the ESC with “Ring Ring” , which only came 3rd in the Melodifestivalen 1973.

After that big success the popular Swedish music, called “Swedish Schlager” has captured the entire world. Especially in Sweden there are “Schlagerkvälls” (only Swedish schlager is being played) in discotheques and bars. The Swedes are very keen on Eurovision and in particular in the Scandinavian entries. This is really worth to experience.

Over the years, Sweden has become one of the most successful countries in Eurovision. Not even the six winning songs became hits, also the lower ranked songs made it into European charts. Sweden hosted the ESC for six times and would like to beat Ireland, as it has seven victories, to become the new Eurovision country. The Swedish entries mostly shape up very well. There is a chance of 88% to reach the Grand Final and 40 Swedish songs made it into the Top 10. Last year’s entry “Dance You Off” by Benjamin Ingrosso made a 7th place in Lisbon.

About me: My first Eurovision I watched was in 1987, Brussels. Since then I am following the ESC with great enthusiasm. The greatest fascination for me is the fact that the entire Europe is watching the show at that specific night. Since 2010, Oslo I am a member of the eurovisionlive.com team. I had the chance to witness the second German victory with Lena. My biggest wish would be to have the orchestra back, as it used to be until 1998.